Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0Charleston’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charleston gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #10 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then ice storms (12%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1999.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Charleston faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Wildfire
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Charleston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Charleston, and Charleston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 12%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #10 of 123 in Arkansas; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Charleston’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Arkansas town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Charleston has less expected damage per building than 93% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Charleston: $591K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Charleston flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Charleston, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Spring storm1 claim · $3K
Charleston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Charleston
Disasters that paid out in Charleston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Charleston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$4K to the City of Charleston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$23K to the City of Charleston for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$8K to the City of Charleston for repairs
Franklin County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Charleston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Charleston archive →Get ready for what Charleston faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Charleston
Is Charleston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charleston has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #10 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and ice storms (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Charleston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Charleston since 1999, $39K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Spring storm (1).
Is Charleston in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Franklin County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Charleston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Charleston’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Charleston?
By FEMA money that reached Charleston, Severe Winter Storm (2013): $23K to the City of Charleston for repairs. By flood claims, Spring storm: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Charleston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Charleston’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Charleston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Charleston’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.